Trans America Cycling Day 47 - High Springs, FL to Palatka, FL

The link to today's route and statistics is found here.
Today was our last long ride.  We left at 7:30 am to avoid afternoon heat.  We had decent cloud cover early, and later we rode 20 miles of state trails, which gave additional shade. The bottom line is that it was a very pleasant ride.

 We did more than rest and refuel at SAG stops today.
SAG stop photo


TAC gave us Little Debbie Swiss Rolls and our Swiss contingent graciously served us


 A study was conducted of Spanish Moss growing on Live Oaks at the SAG.
Spanish Moss was plentiful at SAG

Live Oak draped in Spanish Moss





We rode through Gainesville today, but not near “The Swamp.”  That is the popular name for the University of Florida football stadium.  The Florida Gators play there.
The Swamp in Gainesville is home to the Florida Gators American football team


 A highlight for the day was the scenery on the Palatka-Lake Butler State Trail.  Low palms were plentiful on the  state trail.

Beautiful riding conditions on the state trail
Low palms grew like weeds in the woods




Lake along the state trail made us reflect upon the tour, because of Maltese Ray's eye for the camera.
We owe a debt of gratitude to Ray for so many photographs that he took to brighten this blog and others.




Questions to the Florida Department of Transportation: What is the intent of the warning bumps before narrow bridges? Do they need to extend over a quarter mile before a narrow bridge? Why do they extend beyond the bridge?  Do you consider that you are forcing cyclists onto the roadway for an extended period of time before and sometimes after bridges?
DOT of Florida may want to rethink placement of warning bumps at bridges


 There were many murals painted on the outside walls of buildings in Palatka.  The motel clerk said that they were painted by a number of Palatka citizens and artists, and they were not commissioned by the city of Palatka.  Murals were very pretty, fascinating and informative.



Mural with real door blended in



Look closely, the door in the mural
is a real, functioning door






















Mural with six real windows blended around the false balcony in a Southern scene


What's not to like about the Palatka steam engine train?


Museum about Harlem (section of New York City) Nights in Palatka


Tribute to veterans and those who have fallen - Left side of mural


Tribute to veterans and those who have fallen - Right side of mural


Trans-America Cycling  hosted a meeting in the motel to present awards to cyclists and to project a "slide show" of photographs taken during the entire tour, going back to Day 1 on the beach in San Diego.

Cyclists look on during the awards presentations, including crowned dignitaries



John, adorned with pins, serves up Horse Soldier whisky brought by Barry to honor the Twelve Strong,
some of whom retired from military service and got into the whisky distillation business



Afterwards all ate dinner together in the fine restaurant at the Palatka Quality Inn Motel.


The banquet on the penultimate day


Those who dared even tried some Swiss snuff that smelled like Vicks VapoRub in a ceremony led by Ester.
Sinuses cleared for the last ride.



Some last photos were taken before retiring for the night out of the back of the motel facing the St. Johns River.


Dock on the St. Johns River


Moon lighting up bridge we will cycle over tomorrow
on the way to a triumphant entry into St. Augustine










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